NEW ZEALAND

We ate mainly in our hotels, but I would recommend two experiences in Queenstown, South Island:

Try the Cow Pizza and Spaghetti restaurant in Cow Lane (Tel: 64 3 442 8588). They serve really good pizzas in a lively and friendly (they ask you to share a table with other customers when busy!) setting.

For something very different, take a cruise on beautiful Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw (a vintage steamboat) and stop off at Walter Peak Country farm for an evening meal. It's a well organised evening, and as with everywhere in New Zealand, you get a great welcome.

    Walter Peak Country farm.

COUPEVILLE, WASHINGTON STATE, USA

There are several places to eat in Coupeville, all within walking distance of the Anchorage Inn. I recommend Christopher's or The Mad Crab (Tel. 360-678-0241). Christopher's has recently moved to new premises on NW Coveland Street. Ask if they still do the Raspberry Baked Salmon! For a special treat reserve a table at the Oystercatcher (Tel. 360-678-0683), but beware, it's very popular and only open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday.

LAKE DISTRICT (CUMBRIA), UK

There are lots of eating places in the Lake District; from great pubs to 'posh' restaurants like Sharrow Bay. In Ambleside I can recommend Lucy's on a Plate, Sheila's Cottage which is in The Slack (Tel: 015394 33079) and Bizzy Lizzy's in the Old Bank House, Lake Road (Tel. 015394 34972). Here you can order from a range of hot baguettes, sandwiches and soup, and they serve excellent coffee. What makes Bizzy Lizzy's special though is the friendliness of the staff. Check out the winter opening hours though, and if they are closed, go to Cafe Treff in the centre of Ambleside (almost opposite John Gaynors). Great range of coffees and light meals. Another place in Ambleside with good service is Zeffirellis on Compston Street. It is an excellent Italian restaurant which also houses a cinema. Eat and watch a film later, or just dine there. In the south of the Lakes, try the The Punchbowl in Crosthwaite. It was taken over by the people behind the very successful Drunken Duck (at Barngates near Ambleside), re-furbished and re-opened in 2005. If you are walking near Rydal Water, I recommend a visit to the Old School House Tea Shop at Rydal Hall. Again, good food and service. A real treat for walkers!

The Old School House Tea Shop at Rydal.

SCOTLAND

In the Cairngorms area, there is no where better for a light lunch or evening meal than the Ord Ban restaurant in the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre. At Loch Kishorn I strongly recommend Viv Rollo's Kishorn Seafood Bar. It's Seafood Platter won the Best of Wester Ross award in 2006. Alternatively, drive to Applecross and eat at the Potting Shed in the Walled Garden. For a spectacular journey, and if you are happy driving over the highest pass in Scotland, take the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) road to Applecross. For a less adventurous route to the Potting Shed, drive north from Kishorn to Shieldaig and turn west to follow the coast road around the peninsula. 

    The Pass of the Cattle (Bealach na Ba)

KANDERSTEG (SWITZERLAND)

After a morning's cross country skiing or winter walking on the trails around the village, call in at the Marmotte 'Tea Room' on Hauptstrasse for lunch; you won't be disappointed!

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